Yes! We are absolutely stoked with today's feature, ladies! Really few places deliver a stunning atmosphere and ambiance for love celebrations like Hartley Botanica Inc. The different types of bloomy flowers and plants truly make up for a dream scenario and of course that our highlight reel of today showcases that and more. Kina & Jason's vision was a big one for their special day as we will see. Yamaguchi Nursery came on board with the floral arrangements and decoration and let me tell you, it was absolutely breathtaking, just like Maharani Kina's beauty ensemble as she walked down the aisle. The quintessential Maharani look and vibe were crafted by none other than the amazing Dolled up by Lulu. We already know about her skills so try not to fall from your chair as you witness our bride in her glory! After a rollercoaster of emotions, it was only mandatory for the celebration to be incredible. The beautiful sounds of Ronobir Lahiri Music truly brought the enchantment to the gala and we are just loving it. Also, a loving shout out to our friends from One Story Weddings who were kind enough to share their creation with us today. So without further ado, here we have it, ladies! Our film of the day! Hit play and enjoy!
How did you meet your Groom and when did you know he was "the one"?
We met through a mutual friend, who introduced us to one another via Facebook before online dating was a "thing". He messaged me a few months later, and we wrote paragraphs to one another via Messenger for months. When we finally set aside a time to talk on the phone months later, we realized we both had taken notes of some talking points/questions to keep the conversation going! Conversation has lasted forever.
Share the scoop on your Proposal Story!
We went to the La Jolla cliffs in SoCal on our first date weekend and had brunch with some friends. He took me to the cliff overlooking the ocean and started talking about the amazing travels and adventures we had and asked if I wanted to keep going on them with him. He got down on 1 knee and tears immediately started flying down my face. The ring was gorgeous and beyond anything, I ever wished for. We're so grateful that our friends were there to capture the moment with pictures that we'll carry with us forever.
Tell us how you went about planning your wedding, and your overall experience with the Venues, Hair & Makeup, Outfits, Decor Theme, and all of the other important details.
We waited almost 6 months before we got started, as we really wanted to enjoy the time as an engaged couple. We immediately decided on a destination wedding in SoCal for everyone but ourselves, as my family lives in Boston and Jason's are in the NorCal/Bay Area. We are both young professionals whose jobs require us to be very organized, which makes us well suited for wedding planning! We really wanted to ensure the wedding was totally stress-free for our families, so we decided to plan and organize everything ourselves, which was a great idea. We went to a few trade shows, but mostly researched using recommendations from friends, other vendors, and Instagram!
Venue - Our family & friends were traveling all the way to LA to be outside, not indoors in a hotel ballroom. It was really important to us to find a venue that was outside, yet shaded, given the summer long weekend date. We found Hartley Botanica online which had done a few Indian weddings before, and quickly fell in love with the grounds and incredible staff. Everyone was really kind and organized and made the whole process incredibly easy for us. They recommended our florist, who was a treat.
Photo & Video - Gary Coelho & his team were amazing, and not just for their creativity & professionalism, but mostly for how they led the day. They managed to orchestrate family photos in a seamless way and were simply a joy to be around. We loved how the photos capture so much emotion and are incredibly vibrant.
Hair & Makeup - As soon as I confirmed the wedding date, I immediately booked Lulu. She is the kindest woman with the most amazing eye for hair & makeup. She made me feel so beautiful for my engagement shoot and wedding. The hair & make up lasted ALL day, and it was over 100 degrees!
Sitar - If you asked anyone what the highlight was of the wedding day, I think all of them will say it was Ronobir at the cocktail hour. He played a mix of classic and modern hits, that really got a pretty non-Indian crowd excited. His music in the garden setting was simply magical. I truly wish we could have seen more of it but were off taking pictures of the splendid grounds!
Vogue Candles - WOW is all I can say. Our venue is pretty popular for DIY brides, and I knew I wanted gorgeous tall glass candles without having to deal with the logistics of glass and fire.
As for decor theme, we were simply aiming for fun and ensuring everything represented us as a couple. I'm a bit crafty, so I really enjoyed designing some of the signage and tablescapes. Each table number had a name of a location we've traveled to, and we wrote stories of why that place is special to us so our guests could understand a little more about our story. The only reason why our reception florals were purple & blue is because purple is my favorite color and blue is Jason's favorite color.
How did you select your bridal lengha or wedding dress? Did you have a favorite color in mind?
I have a pretty classic style, so I knew I wanted a bright shade of red and gold. I kept things really simple. I went to Frontier Heritage to try lenghas on with one of my bridesmaids, and just loved the shade of red and embroidery. Jassi was very helpful at making sure everything fit perfectly right up until the wedding.
What was the most enjoyable part of the planning process, and why?
All of it! Okay, maybe just the hair & makeup, just kidding. I really feel like Jason and I worked together as a team throughout all of it, as we had a shared goal of a fun & stress-free day for our family and friends. He is better at some of the business/negotiation conversations and led a lot of creative elements to me. Our strengths/weaknesses are perfectly suited to one another. For example, he loves music and I love the details like graphic design.
What did your guests particularly love about your Wedding?
They will tell you the Baraat, music, sitar, and the dancing. We had flipflops & glowsticks to ensure everyone was dancing up a storm as the night cooled down under the market lights. It was really special.
Was there a really special moment in your wedding that constantly replays in your mind?
There are so many! Jason and I wrote incredibly sweet wedding vows to one another that make me tear up to this day. I remember walking down to him with my parents on my side, the speeches, my bridesmaids - I truly remember all of it.
For events other than your ceremony, please tell us as much as you would like about the decor, style, dances, and all the special details.
The Baarat was so much fun. Jason entered in a Jaguar convertible, and boy was it a party. Despite the heat, everyone was dancing to the dhol player as if they'd never dance again! We had a mix of Indian and non-Indian, as it was the first Indian wedding for a lot of our friends, and everyone got into the dancing which was really fun to see.
Do you have any words of wisdom for Brides-To-Be?
Don't stress and take the planning one step at a time. At the end of the day, it's all about you and your husband. Do everything you can to ensure you are true to yourselves throughout the process & day, and that the wedding is a reflection of you as a couple and your love for one another.
See you soon, ladies!
Hair & Makeup: Dolled up by Lulu |
Cinematography: One Story Weddings |
Photography: Gary Coelho Photography |
Ceremony Venue: Hartley Botanica Inc. |
Reception Venue: Hartley Botanica Inc. |
Planning & Design: Pankaj Raval |
Candle Decor: Vogue Candles |
Floral & Decor: Yamaguchi Nursery |
Catering: Command Performance Catering |
Drinks Catering: Liquid Catering |
DJ: DJ Jas |
Bridal Fashions: Frontier Heritage |
Bridal Jewelry: Sari Palace |
Event Designer: Bella Dia Weddings |
Invitations & Wedding Stationery: Quinn & Co |
Mehndi Artist: Beauty by Rachana
Dolled up by Lulu
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